Attachment device of portable electronic equipment and feature expanding unit of portable electronic equipment, and separation type feature expanding device of portable electronic equipment comprising attachment device and feature expanding unit

ABSTRACT

A separation type feature expanding device comprises an attachment device with a bottom supporting flat portion on which a notebook personal computer is mounted, and a port replicator portion provided in a rear end of the bottom supporting flat portion and having a terminal portion to which a terminal portion provided on the back surface of the notebook personal computer is removably connected, and a feature expanding unit of the notebook personal computer, having its upper end surface on which the bottom supporting flat portion in the attachment device is mounted, and having a terminal portion to which the terminal portion of the port replicator portion in the attachment device is removably connected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an attachment device of portableelectronic equipment and a feature expanding unit of the portableelectronic equipment, and a separation type feature expanding device ofthe portable electronic equipment comprising the attachment device andthe feature expanding unit.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In order to ensure the portability of portable electronic equipment suchas a so-called notebook type personal computer or laptop type personalcomputer as well as expand the feature thereof, it has been proposedthat a feature expanding unit containing a circuit for expanding thefeature of the portable electronic equipment is provided and theportable electronic equipment is mounted on and removed from the featureexpanding unit, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No.119220/1991, for example.

The feature expanding unit and the portable electronic equipment areelectrically connected to each other by inserting a male connectorprovided in the portable electronic equipment into a female connectorprovided in the feature expanding unit, for example. Further, there isprovided means for inhibiting the relative movement therebetween in thedirection in which the connectors are inserted and pulled out in orderthat the connectors are uselessly disconnected from each other.

Furthermore, the portable electronic equipment is provided with aconnector for connecting equipment such as a printer or a scanner usinga cable. When the cable is attached or detached every time the printer,the scanner, or the like is used, the portable electronic equipment isinconvenient for use. Therefore, the equipment such as the printer orthe scanner and a port replicator are constantly connected to each otherby cable, while the portable electronic equipment is removably providedin the port replicator (the port replicator and the port replicatorportion refer to one comprising a first group of terminals to which agroup of terminals of the portable electronic equipment is connected anda second group of terminals to which a group of terminals of theequipment such as the printer is connected), to decrease the complexityof connecting work of the cable.

When the feature of the portable electronic equipment is graduallyexpanded, the above-mentioned port replicator is liable to be firstobtained, after which a feature expanding unit is liable to be newlyobtained. When the feature expanding unit is newly obtained in a casewhere the port replicator has been already possessed, however, the portreplicator which has been already possessed is useless, which means awaste of property.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentionedcircumstances, and has for its object to prevent equipment which hasbeen already possessed from being useless in a case where the feature ofa portable electronic equipment is gradually expanded, and to provide anattachment device of the portable electronic equipment, a featureexpanding unit of the portable electronic equipment, and a separationtype feature expanding device of the portable electronic equipmentcomprising the attachment device and the feature expanding unit.

Another object of the present invention is to prevent the situationwhere the feature expanding unit of the portable electronic equipmentand the attachment device of the portable electronic equipment arestolen.

A separation type feature expanding device of a portable electronicequipment according to the present invention is a separation typefeature expanding device of a portable electronic equipment which isseparably provided with an attachment device of the portable electronicequipment which comprises a bottom supporting flat portion on which theportable electronic equipment is mounted, and a port replicator portionprovided in a rear end of the bottom supporting flat portion and havinga terminal portion to which a terminal portion provided on the rearsurface of the portable electronic equipment is removably connected, andlocking means, and a feature expanding unit of the portable electronicequipment which contains one or more feature expanding means of theportable electronic equipment, has its upper end surface on which thebottom supporting flat portion in the attachment device of the portableelectronic equipment is mounted, and has a terminal portion to which theterminal portion of the port replicator portion in the attachment deviceof the portable electronic equipment is removably connected, which ischaracterized in that an engaging projection is formed on the uppersurface of the feature expanding unit of the portable electronicequipment, an engaging hole into which the engaging projection isinserted is formed on the bottom surface of the bottom supporting flatportion in the attachment device of the portable electronic equipment,the bottom supporting flat portion is provided with a moving plate movedupon being operated by the locking means, and the moving plate isengaged with the engaging projection by an operation performed at thetime of locking by the locking means to prevent the movement of theattachment device.

In such a construction, the attachment device of the portable electronicequipment cannot be removed from the feature expanding unit of theportable electronic equipment in a locked state by the locking means, sothat the attachment device can be prevented from being stolen.

A separation type feature expanding device of a portable electronicequipment according to the present invention is a separation typefeature expanding device of a portable electronic equipment which isseparably provided with an attachment device of the portable electronicequipment which comprises a bottom supporting flat portion on which theportable electronic equipment is mounted, and a port replicator portionprovided in a rear end of the bottom supporting flat portion and havinga terminal portion to which a terminal portion provided on the rearsurface of the portable electronic equipment is removably connected, andlocking means, and a feature expanding unit of the portable electronicequipment which contains one or more feature expanding means of theportable electronic equipment, has its upper end surface on which thebottom supporting flat portion in the attachment device of the portableelectronic equipment is mounted, and has a terminal portion to which theterminal portion of the port replicator portion in the attachment deviceof the portable electronic equipment is removably connected, and a cardloading portion, which is characterized in that the bottom supportingflat portion in the attachment device is provided with a moving platemoved upon being operated by the locking means, the feature expandingunit is provided with a shutter driving plate moved by the moving plate,and the shutter driving plate is driven by an operation performed at thetime of locking by the locking means so that at least a part of a cardloading aperture of the card loading portion is closed by a shutterplate mounted on the shutter driving plate.

In such a construction, a card cannot be taken out from the featureexpanding unit of the portable electronic equipment in a locked state bythe locking means, so that the card can be prevented from being stolen.

A separation type feature expanding device of a portable electronicequipment according to the present invention is a separation typefeature expanding device of a portable electronic equipment which isseparably provided with an attachment device of the portable electronicequipment which comprises a bottom supporting flat portion on which theportable electronic equipment is mounted, a port replicator portionprovided in a rear end of the bottom supporting flat portion and havinga terminal portion to which a terminal portion provided on the backsurface of the portable electronic equipment is removably connected, andlocking means, a feature expanding unit of the portable electronicequipment which contains one or more feature expanding means of theportable electronic equipment, has its upper end surface on which thebottom supporting flat portion in the attachment device of the portableelectronic equipment is mounted, and has a terminal portion to which theterminal portion of the attachment device of the portable electronicequipment is removably connected and a terminal portion to which aterminal portion of the other equipment is removably connected, and acase carrying an electronic substrate having a terminal portionremovably connected to the terminal portions of the feature expandingunit of the portable electronic equipment, which is characterized inthat an insertion hole is formed in a cover portion covering the lockingmeans in the attachment device of the portable electronic equipment, anengaging projection which can be inserted into the insertion hole in thecover portion is formed in the electronic substrate carrying case, andthe locking means is provided with an engaging member engaged with theengaging projection by an operation performed at the time of locking.

In such a construction, the electronic substrate carrying case cannot beremoved in a locked state by the locking means, so that it can beprevented from being stolen.

An attachment device of a portable electronic equipment according to thepresent invention is an attachment device of a portable electronicequipment which comprises a bottom supporting flat portion on which theportable electronic equipment is mounted, a port replicator portionprovided in a rear end of the bottom supporting flat portion and havinga terminal portion to which a terminal portion provided on the backsurface of the portable electronic equipment is removably connected, andlocking means, which is characterized in that a rotation engaging clawhaving a gear portion is rotatably provided in the bottom supportingflat portion so that its claw portion can be projected from the uppersurface of the bottom supporting flat portion, a rack hole formed in amoving plate moved upon being operated by the locking means is engagedwith the gear portion, and the claw portion is projected from the bottomsupporting flat portion by an operation at the time of locking performedby the locking means to engage the portable electronic equipment.

In such a construction, the portable electronic equipment can be engagedupon projecting the claw portion of the rotation engaging claw from thebottom supporting flat portion by the operation performed at the time oflocking by the locking means. The rotation engaging claw is rotated in aso-called relationship between a rack (the rack hole of the movingplate) and a pinion (the gear portion). Therefore, the distance betweena center of rotation of the rotation engaging claw and a point ofapplication for applying torque to the rotation engaging claw can bedecreased, whereby the thickness of the bottom supporting flat portionin the attachment device of the portable electronic equipment can bereduced.

An attachment device of a portable electronic equipment according to thepresent invention is an attachment device of a portable electronicequipment which comprises a bottom surface flat portion on which theportable electronic equipment is mounted, a port replicator portionprovided in a rear end of the bottom supporting flat portion and havinga terminal portion to which a terminal portion provided on the backsurface of the portable electronic equipment is removably connected, andlocking means, which is characterized in that a pressing projection forejecting the portable electronic equipment is provided movably back andforth on the front surface of the port replicator portion, an ejectshaft is so provided in the bottom supporting flat portion as to havethe center of a shaft in the lateral direction, the pressing projectionis moved back and forth by the rotation of the eject shaft, and theeject shaft is rotated when the locking means is further operated in thedirection of an operation performed when a locked state by the lockingmeans is changed into an unlocked state beyond the unlocked state.

In such a construction, an operation for ejecting the portableelectronic equipment can be performed subsequently to an operation ofchanging the locked state by the locking means into the unlocked state,whereby the separation type feature expanding device of the portableelectronic equipment can be made convenient for use.

An attachment device of a portable electronic equipment according to thepresent invention is an attachment device of a portable electronicequipment which comprises a bottom supporting flat portion on which theportable electronic equipment is mounted, a port replicator portionprovided in a rear end of the bottom supporting flat portion and havinga terminal portion to which a terminal portion provided on the backsurface of the portable electronic equipment is removably connected, andlocking means, which is characterized in that a moving plate moved uponbeing operated by the locking means is connected to an upper caseportion constituting a case of the bottom supporting flat portion, anengaging projection is formed in a bottom constituting a bottom plate ofthe bottom supporting flat portion, and the moving plate is engaged withthe engaging projection of the bottom in a locked state by the lockingmeans.

In such a construction, even if an attempt to remove the bottom from theupper case portion is made, the engaging projection of the bottom iscaught by the moving plate, whereby the bottom cannot be removed. Thatis, it is impossible to force unlocking to be achieved by removing thebottom in the attachment device and operating the moving plate.

An attachment device of a portable electronic equipment according to thepresent invention is characterized by comprising a bottom supportingflat portion on which the portable electronic equipment is mounted, anda port replicator portion provided in a rear end of the bottomsupporting flat portion and having a terminal portion to which aterminal portion provided on the back surface of the portable electronicequipment is removably connected.

Since the attachment device has the bottom supporting flat portion,therefore, a guide for introducing the portable electronic equipmentinto the port replicator portion, a member for grounding the portableelectronic equipment, a member for engaging the portable electronicequipment, means for engaging the attachment device of the portableelectronic equipment with the feature expanding unit of the portableelectronic equipment (for example, an engaging hole), and a fingercatching portion for facilitating an operation performed when theattachment device of the portable electronic equipment is removed fromthe feature expanding unit of the portable electronic equipment, forexample, can be formed and arranged in the bottom supporting flatportion. Even when only the attachment device of the portable electronicequipment is obtained, a function as the port replicator is obtained.

Furthermore, a feature expanding unit of a portable electronic equipmentaccording to the present invention is characterized in that it containsone or more feature expanding means of the portable electronicequipment, has its upper end surface on which the bottom supporting flatportion in the attachment device of the portable electronic equipment ismounted, and has a terminal portion to which a terminal portion of theport replicator portion in the attachment device of the portableelectronic equipment is removably connected.

The bottom supporting flat portion in the attachment device of theportable electronic equipment is thus mounted on the upper end surfaceof the unit. Even if a feature expanding unit of the portable electronicequipment is newly obtained after the attachment device of the portableelectronic equipment is obtained, the feature can be gradually expandedwithout making the attachment device of the portable electronicequipment useless.

A separation type feature expanding device of a portable electronicequipment according to the present invention is characterized in that anattachment device of the portable electronic equipment and a featureexpanding unit of the portable electronic equipment are separablyprovided.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an attachment device of aportable electronic equipment and a feature expanding unit of theportable electronic equipment according to the present invention, and anotebook personal computer;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a state where the attachmentdevice of the portable electronic equipment according to the presentinvention is arranged on the feature expanding unit of the portableelectronic equipment, and the notebook personal computer is arranged onthe attachment device of the portable electronic equipment, and FIG. 2Bis a perspective view showing a state where the attachment device of theportable electronic equipment is slightly shifted in the direction ofremoval;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where a separation typefeature expanding device of the portable electronic equipment accordingto the present invention and an ISA card case mounted thereon are lockedby connecting and locking means;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing in an enlarged manner theattachment device of the portable electronic equipment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state at the time of unlockingwhere a resin cover and a port replicator portion are removed in theattachment device of the portable electronic equipment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state at the time of lockingwhere the resin cover and the port replicator portion are removed in theattachment device of the portable electronic equipment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a locked state by locking means in thepresent invention, FIG. 7B is a diagram showing an unlocked state, andFIG. 7C is a diagram showing an ejected state;

FIG. 8A is a rear view showing a locked state of a locking structure ofan ISA card case by the locking means in the present invention, FIG. 8Bis a left side view showing the locked state, and FIG. 8C is a rightside view showing an unlocked state;

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure in which aneject shaft, a pressing projection, and the like are arranged andconnected in the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view as seen being put its bottom surface up,showing a structure in which an eject shaft, a pressing projection, andthe like are arranged and connected in the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the relationship between lockingmeans and a first back-and-forth sliding plate (a state at the time ofunlocking) in the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the relationship between lockingmeans and a first back-and-forth sliding plate (a state at the time oflocking) in the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing in an enlarged manner the featureexpanding unit of the portable electronic equipment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the relationship between a firstback-and-forth sliding plate provided in the attachment device of theportable electronic equipment according to the present invention and ahook-shaped projection provided in the feature expanding unit (a stateat the time of unlocking);

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the relationship between a firstback-and-forth sliding plate provided in the attachment device of theportable electronic equipment in the present invention and a hook-shapedprojection provided in the feature expanding unit (a state at the timeof locking);

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the relationship between a firstback-and-forth sliding plate provided in the attachment device of theportable electronic equipment according to the present invention and ahook-shaped projection provided in the feature expanding unit (a stateat the time of locking);

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a state where a stopper member isprovided in FIG. 13;

FIG. 18A is a partially enlarged view of the feature expanding unit ofthe portable electronic equipment, which illustrates a shutter device inthe present invention, and FIG. 18B is a side view thereof;

FIG. 19A is a plan view showing a state where a stopper member isprovided in FIG. 18A, and FIG. 19B is a side view thereof;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state where a locking member isprojected in FIG. 13;

FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the locking member shown in FIG. 20 andits peripheral mechanism;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view showing the locking member shown inFIG. 20 and its peripheral mechanism;

FIG. 23A is a side view showing a state where a locking member isprojected, and FIG. 23B is a side view showing a state where the lockingmember is retracted;

FIG. 24A is a longitudinal sectional view showing how a state where anotebook personal computer is engaged by a grounding member in thepresent invention can be released by a second back-and-forth slidingplate (an unlocked state), and FIG. 24B is a longitudinal sectional viewshowing how it is inhibited from being released (a locked state);

FIGS. 25A, 25B, and 25C are longitudinal sectional views showing how agrounding member is projected and retracted in a case where a notebookpersonal computer is set or ejected on or from a bottom supporting flatportion in the attachment device according to the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a longitudinal sectional view in an unlocked state showinghow a gear portion of a rotation engaging claw and a rack hole of athird back-and-forth sliding plate are engaged with each other in thepresent invention;

FIG. 27 is a longitudinal sectional view in a locked state showing how agear portion of a rotation engaging claw and a rack hole of a thirdback-and-forth sliding plate are engaged with each other in the presentinvention;

FIG. 28A is a perspective view showing a state where a notebook personalcomputer is set on the attachment device according to the presentinvention, and FIG. 28B is a perspective view showing a state where arotation engaging claw is unlocked;

FIG. 29A is a perspective view showing a state where a notebook personalcomputer is set on the attachment device according to the presentinvention, and FIG. 29B is a perspective view showing a state where arotation engaging claw is locked;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged perspective view showing how a card loadingaperture of a notebook personal computer is opened and closed by ashutter plate in the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where a shutterplate is set on a bending portion of a shutter driving plate in thepresent invention;

FIGS. 32A and 32B are explanatory views showing how the amount ofprojection of a shutter portion by a shutter plate is adjusted in theform of mounting of the shutter plate in the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a bottom of the feature expandingunit and a main substrate in the portable electronic equipment accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view showing a bottom and a main substratein the feature expanding unit of the portable electronic equipmentaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a connecting and locking portionin the attachment device of the portable electronic equipment accordingto the present invention;

FIGS. 36A and 36B are longitudinal sectional views showing a state wherethe attachment device of the portable electronic equipment, the featureexpanding unit of the portable electronic equipment, and an ISA cardcase are connected and locked by connecting and locking means in thepresent invention; and

FIG. 37 is a front view showing the state of a rotating portion in alocked state by connecting and locking means in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Description is now made of embodiments of the present invention on thebasis of the drawings.

A perspective view of FIG. 1 illustrates a notebook type personalcomputer 1 serving as portable electronic equipment, an attachmentdevice of the portable electronic equipment 2, and a feature expandingunit of the portable electronic equipment 3. The attachment device ofthe portable electronic equipment 2 and the feature expanding unit ofthe portable electronic equipment 3 constitute a separation type featureexpanding device 4 of the portable electronic equipment. That is, theseparation type feature expanding device 4 of the portable electronicequipment is so constructed that it can be separated into the attachmentdevice of the portable electronic equipment 2 and the feature expandingunit of the portable electronic equipment 3.

The attachment device of the portable electronic equipment (hereinaftermerely referred to as the attachment device) 2 comprises a bottomsupporting flat portion 23 on which the notebook type personal computer(hereinafter merely referred to as the note PC) 1 is mounted and a portreplicator portion 22 provided in the rear of the bottom supporting flatportion 23. A terminal portion 21 to which a terminal portion (notshown) provided on the back surface of the note PC 1 is removablyconnected is provided on the front surface of the port replicatorportion 22. Further, a terminal portion, to which a cable for connectinga printer or the like is connected, is provided on the back surface ofthe port replicator portion 22.

In the feature expanding unit of the portable electronic equipment(hereinafter merely referred to as the feature expanding unit) 3, one ormore feature expanding means of the note PC 1 (for example, a hard diskdriver, an optical disk driver, or a data reading portion of a PCMCIA(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card) iscontained in a box 31 whose upper end surface is opened. The bottomsupporting flat portion 23 of the attachment device 2 is mounted on theupper end surface of the box 31. A terminal portion 32 to which aterminal portion 24 (see FIG. 2B) formed on the back surface of the portreplicator portion 22 in the attachment device 2 is removably connectedis provided on the front surface of a vertically rising portion providedat a rear end of the box 31.

A perspective view of FIG. 2A shows a state where the note PC 1, theattachment device 2, and the feature expanding unit 3 are combined toone another. That is, the note PC 1 can be carried on the bottomsupporting flat portion 23 of the attachment device 2, and theattachment device 2 can be further carried on the feature expanding unit3. A perspective view of FIG. 2B shows a state where the attachmentdevice 2 is slightly slid in the direction of removal. When theattachment device 2 is mounted on the feature expanding unit 3, theattachment device 2 may be pushed backward in the state shown in FIG.2B.

A perspective view of FIG. 3 shows a state where the attachment device 2is carried on the feature expanding unit 3, and an ISA card case 7 whichis an electronic substrate carrying case is further mounted on theexpanding unit 3, they are connected and locked by connecting andlocking means 5. A connecting rope 51 is connected to the connecting andlocking means 5, and the connecting rope 51 is connected to a rack for apersonal computer which is a non-portable member, for example, so thatthe attachment device 2, the feature expanding unit 3, and the ISA cardcase 7 can be prevented from being stolen. Examples of the connectingand locking means 5 include one called "kensington lock".

As can be seen from FIG. 2B, a square-shaped rising portion (aplate-shaped member) 311b, having a first locking hole 311a in the shapeof a long hole into which a locking and engaging member 5a of theconnecting and locking means 5 (see FIG. 36A and FIG. 36B) is inserted,is formed at a left rear end of the feature expanding unit. Further, asquare-shaped rising portion 7a having a third locking hole 7b in anapproximately circular shape into which the locking and engaging member5a of the connecting and locking means 5 is inserted is also formed atthe front of the ISA card case 7.

As illustrated in an enlarged manner in a perspective view of FIG. 35, alocking portion 225 is formed at a left rear end of the attachmentdevice 2. The locking portion 225 has the shape of an approximatelysquare hollow box. Both side surfaces, the upper surface and the backsurface of the approximately square hollow box are formed of a resincover 28 constituting a case of the attachment device 2, and the bottomsurface thereof is formed of a bottom 29 constituting a bottom plate ofthe attachment device 2. An elliptical projection 225a of size in whichthe first locking hole 311a can be fitted is formed on the back surfaceof the locking portion 225, and a second locking hole 225b in the shapeof a long hole into which the locking and engaging member 5a of theconnecting and locking means 5 is inserted is formed in the ellipticalprojection 225a. Further, a frame portion 255c surrounding the risingportion 311b and the rising portion 7a is formed in the periphery of theback surface of the locking portion 225.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are longitudinal sectional views showing a state wherethe locking and engaging member 5a of the connecting and locking means 5passes through a third locking hole 7b of the ISA card case 7, a lockinghole 311a of the expanding unit 3, and the second locking hole 225b ofthe attachment device 2, and a rotating portion 5b of the locking andengaging member 5a enters the locking portion 225. FIGS. 36A and 36Brespectively illustrate an unlocked state and a locked state. FIG. 37 isa front view showing a state where the rotating portion 5b and thelocking and engaging member 5a in the locked state have a cross shape.

As can be seen from FIGS. 36A, 36B and 37, the rotating portion 5b ofthe locking and engaging member 5a is rotated through 90°, that therotating portion 5b crosses the locking and engaging member 5a in across shape, to achieve locking. The locking prevents the attachmentdevice 2, the feature expanding unit 3, and the ISA card case 7 frombeing stolen.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, an engaging projection 7d isformed at a right front end of the ISA card case 7, and an engaging hole7e is formed in the engaging projection 7d. The engaging projection 7dcan be inserted into an insertion hole 28b formed on the back surface ofthe port replicator portion 22 and in the vicinity of the position wherelocking means 26 as described later is arranged. Further, a groundingprojection 7c is formed at the front in the center of the ISA card case7, and is screwed into the terminal portion 32 in the direction ofremoval so that connection to the ground is made.

(Attachment Device)

A perspective view of FIG. 4 illustrates the attachment device 2 in anenlarged manner. Guide portions 23a and 23b are formed of the resincover 28 constituting the case of the attachment device 2 on both rightand left sides of the bottom supporting flat portion 23. Guiding in acase where the note PC 1 is mounted on the bottom supporting flatportion 23, and the terminal portion formed on the back surface thereofis fitted in the terminal portion 21 of the port replicator portion 22and movement in the lateral direction of the note PC 1 after the fittingcan be regulated by guide surfaces of the guide portions 23a and 23b.Further, the guide portions 23a and 23b are respectively provided withfinger catching portions 23c for making easy an operation performed whenthe attachment device 2 is removed from the expanding unit 3 and anoperation performed when the note PC 1 is mounted on the attachmentdevice 2.

A card shutter 25 is provided on the upper surface of the right guideportion 23b. The card shutter 25 is provided in a position correspondingto a PCMCIA card loading aperture (see FIG. 2) 11 provided on a sidesurface of the note PC 1 set on the bottom supporting flat portion 23.The card shutter 25 is driven back and forth by a rotating operation ofthe locking means 26 as described later, and is moved to such a positionas to cover a part of the PCMCIA card loading aperture 11 in the lockingposition of the locking means 26, while being moved to such a positionas to retreat from the PCMCIA card loading aperture 11 in the unlockingposition thereof. A driving mechanism of the locking means 26 and thecard shutter 25 will be described in detail later.

Furthermore, a grounding member 296 is so provided that it can beretracted into the resin cover 28 and is projected therefrom in thebottom supporting flat portion 23. The grounding member 296 can groundthe note PC 1, and can engage the note PC 1. The details of thegrounding member 296 will be described later. Further, an engaging hole29e (see FIG. 16) into which a hook-shaped projection 33a (see FIG. 13)projected from an upper end surface of the box 31 in the featureexpanding unit 3 is inserted, and a long hole 29f (see FIG. 16) intowhich a bending rising portion 37a (see FIG. 13) as described later isinserted are formed on the lower surface of the bottom supporting flatportion 23.

The above-mentioned terminal portion 24 fitted in the terminal portion32 of the feature expanding unit 3 as shown in FIG. 2B, and a group ofterminals connected to equipments such as a printer and a scanner (notshown) by cables are provided on the back surface of the port replicatorportion 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the above-mentioned terminal portion 21 is providedon the front surface of the port replicator portion 22, and the terminalportion of the note PC 1 is fitted in the terminal portion 21. Guidepins 21a are provided in the terminal portion 21 in order that thefitting is properly performed, and guide holes (not shown) are providedon the back surface of the note PC 1 in correspondence thereto. Further,pressing projections 22a and 22b for removing the note PC 1 set on thebottom supporting flat portion 23 are so provided that they can beprojected and retracted in positions in the vicinity of both ends on thefront surface of the port replicator portion 22. The pressingprojections 22a and 22b are projected and retracted upon receipt of adriving force by a rotating operation of the locking means 26. Thespecific construction therefor will be described later.

(Locking Means)

The locking means 26 is provided as shown in FIG. 4 on a side surface ofthe port replicator portion 22. A key 26a is inserted into the lockingmeans 26 and is rotated, so that locked state and an unlocked state bythe locking means 26 can be brought about. When the locking means 26 isfurther operated beyond the unlocked state in the direction of anoperation performed when the locked state by the locking means 26 ischanged into the unlocked state, the pressing projections 22a and 22bcan be projected (the projected state is hereinafter referred to as anejected state).

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views showing a state where the resincover 28 and a member constituting the port replicator portion 22 in theattachment device 2 are removed, to expose a bottom 29 formed of an ironplate, where FIG. 5 shows the unlocked state by the locking means 26,and FIG. 6 shows the locked state by the locking means.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are side views showing the locking means 26 and amechanism portion in its periphery, where FIG. 7A shows the locked stateby the locking means 26, FIG. 7B shows the unlocked state, and FIG. 7Cshows the ejected state. The locking means 26 is provided with arotating portion 26b rotated by a rotating operation of the key 26a. Anoperating projection 26c (which is not seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 because itis positioned on the back surface of an operating plate 221) is providedin the rotating portion 26b. The operating projection 26c presses theoperating plate 221 in the ejected state. When the operating plate 221is inclined upon being pressed by the operating projection 26c as shownin FIG. 7C, the pressing projection 22a connected to the operating plate221 is moved in the direction of projection, and is projected from theresin cover 28 constituting the port replicator portion 22. A rotatingshaft 222 is fastened to the operating plate 221, and the rotating shaft222 is rotated by the inclination of the operating plate 221. Anoperating plate 223 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is fastened to the other end ofthe rotating shaft 222, and the operating plate 223 is inclined by therotation of the rotating shaft 222. The pressing projection 22b isconnected to the operating plate 223, and the pressing projection 22b ismoved in the direction of projection by the inclination of the operatingplate 223, and is projected from the resin cover 28 constituting theport replicator portion 22.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a coil spring 224 is externally fitted in anend of the rotating shaft 222. One end of the coil spring 224 is engagedwith the operating portion 221, and the operating portion 221 is urgedin the direction in which the pressing projections 22a and 22b areretracted into the resin cover 28 constituting the port replicatorportion 22 by the coil spring 224. Consequently, the pressingprojections 22a and 22b are projected, as shown in FIG. 7C, upon beingoperated by the key 26a, after which a user lets go his or her hold onthe key 26a, the pressing projections 22a and 22b are retracted into theresin cover 28 constituting the port replicator portion 22 and theoperating projection 26c is also returned to the unlocking position, asshown in FIG. 7B, by an urging force of the coil spring 224 and a spring(not shown) contained in the locking means 26.

As shown in a side view of FIG. 9 and a perspective view of FIG. 10, therotating shaft 222 is supported by a bearing portion 281 in anapproximately U shape. The bearing portion 281 is constructed by beingintegrally molded by resin inside of the resin cover 28. The bearingportion 281 is formed with an opening of the U shape directed downward,and the opening of the U shape is closed by the bottom 29.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are diagrams showing the locking means 26 and themechanism portion in its periphery, where FIG. 8B corresponds to FIG. 7Aas viewed from the back surface, and FIG. 8C corresponds to FIG. 7B asviewed from the back surface. An engaging member 26e is formed in therotating portion 26b of the locking means 26. At the time of locking bythe locking means 26, the engaging member 26e is engaged with theengaging hole 7e of the engaging projection 7d of the ISA card case 7inserted into the insertion hole 28b (see FIG. 2) of the resin cover 28so that the ISA card case 7 cannot be removed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a first back-and-forth sliding plate 291provided so as to slide back and forth, a second back-and-forth slidingplate 292 provided so as to slide back and forth, a third back-and-forthsliding plate 293 provided so as to slide back and forth, a firstrotating plate 294 rotatably supported by a shaft 294a, a secondrotating plate 295 rotatably supported by a shaft 295a, a supportingplate 297 elastically supporting the grounding member 296, and a cardshutter driving portion 27 are arranged on the bottom 29. Operationsperformed by the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291 and the likewill be simply described. When a locking operation is performed by thelocking means 26, the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291 and thesecond back-and-forth sliding plate 292 retreat, while the thirdback-and-forth sliding plate 293 and the card shutter driving portion 27advance.

Support for sliding or rotation of the first back-and-forth slidingplate 291 and the like is provided by a projection or the like formed inthe resin cover 28 covering the bottom 29. Further, the firstback-and-forth sliding plate 291 or the like is prevented from beingremoved from the resin cover 28 in an umbrella portion of a screw (notshown) screwed in the projection. In the locked state (see FIG. 6) bythe locking means 26, the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291, thethird back-and-forth sliding plate 293, and the first rotating plate 294are respectively positioned under engaging projections 29a formed in thebottom 29. In such a state, even if an attempt to remove the bottom 29from the resin cover 28 is made, the engaging projections 29a in thebottom 29 are caught by the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291 orthe like, whereby the bottom 29 cannot be removed. That is, it isimpossible to force unlocking to be performed by removing the bottom 29in the attachment device 2 and operating the first back-and-forthsliding plate 291 or the like.

(First Back-and-forth Sliding Plate)

As shown in FIG. 11 which is a perspective view showing the unlockedstate of the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291 and FIG. 12 which isa perspective view showing the locked state, a bending portion 291a isformed at a rear end of the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291. Thebending portion 291a is engaged with a pin 26d projected in the lateraldirection from the operating projection 26c in the rotating portion 26bof the locking means 26. When the rotating portion 26b of the lockingmeans 26 is rotated in the direction of locking, the pin 26d presses thebending portion 291a backward, whereby the first back-and-forth slidingplate 291 slides backward. On the other hand, when the rotating portion26b of the locking means 26 is rotated in the direction of unlocking,the pin 26d attempts to be separated from the bending portion 291a.However, the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291 slides forwardbecause it is urged in the direction of forward movement by a coilspring 80. One end of the coil spring 80 is engaged with a supportingportion (not shown) formed in the resin cover 28.

(First Rotating Plate)

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first rotating plate 294 extends in thelateral direction, and has its right end connected to the firstback-and-forth sliding plate 291. Consequently, the first rotating plate294 is rotated around the shaft 294a upon receipt of a driving force byback-and-forth sliding of the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291.

(Second Back-and-forth Sliding Plate)

A rear end 292a of the second back-and-forth sliding plate 292 isconnected to the first rotating plate 294 in an approximatelyintermediate position between the right end of the first rotating plate294 and the shaft 294a. Consequently, the second back-and-forth slidingplate 292 slides back and forth upon receipt of a driving force by arotating operation of the first rotating plate 294. The grounding member296 is prevented from being retracted into the resin case 28 uponpositioning an L-shaped front end 292b below the grounding member 296 asalso shown in FIG. 24B when the second back-and-forth sliding plate 292slides backward (in the locked state), while being allowed to beretracted into the resin case 28 upon positioning the L-shaped front end292b in a position spaced apart from a portion just below the groundingmember 296 as also shown in FIG. 24A when it slides forward (in theunlocked state) (see an imaginary line in FIG. 24A). In a state wherethe grounding member 296 is prevented from being retracted into theresin case 28, if an attempt to remove the note PC 1 is made, a statewhere the grounding member 296 is engaged with an engaging ground hole(not shown) formed on the bottom surface of the note PC 1 cannot bereleased, whereby the note PC 1 is prevented from being removed.

(Grounding Member)

The supporting plate 297 for supporting the grounding member 296 iscomposed of a metal plate spring. A front end, to which the groundingmember 296 is fastened, of the supporting plate 297 is raised upward byan elastic force, so that the grounding member 296 can be projected fromthe upper surface of the resin case 28 in the bottom supporting flatportion 23. The supporting plate 297 is screwed into the resin case 28in its approximately central part, is raised upward at its front end,and is brought into contact with the bottom 29 at its rear end.

The grounding member 296 has a tapered surface 296a for smoothlymounting and removing the note PC 1. Further, a fixed point of thesupporting plate 297 (the above-mentioned screwed point) is set in aposition spaced apart leftward in the drawing from a position below thegrounding member 296 so that the supporting plate 297 smoothly swings upand down by a horizontal force against the grounding member 296. Whenthe note PC 1 is set as shown in FIG. 25A, therefore, the supportingplate 297 smoothly swings downward by the function of the taperedsurface 296a of the grounding member 296. Thereafter, the groundingmember 296 is engaged with the engaging ground hole 11 of the note PC 1,as shown in FIG. 25B. On the other hand, an engaging surface 296b of thegrounding member 296 becomes a vertically rising surface for engagingthe note PC 1, as shown in FIG. 24B. In a state where there is noregulation by the L-shaped front end 292b, however, the supporting plate297 slightly bends so that the degree to which the engaging surface 296bis vertical becomes low, as shown in FIG. 25C. At the time of anoperation for removing the note PC 1, the supporting plate 297 is movedup and down by a horizontal force against the grounding member 296.

(Third Back-and-forth Sliding Plate)

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a rear end 293a of the third back-and-forthsliding plate 293 is connected to a left end of the first rotating plate294. Consequently, the third back-and-forth sliding plate 293 slidesback and forth upon receipt of a driving force by a rotating operationof the first rotating plate 294. A rack hole 293b (see FIG. 6) having arack formed on its surface is formed in the third back-and-forth slidingplate 293. In a position corresponding to the position where the rackhole 293b is formed, a horizontal shaft 82 is rotatably supported on theresin cover 28, and a rotation engaging claw 81 is fastened to thehorizontal shaft 82. A gear portion 81a is formed in the rotationengaging claw 81, and is engaged with the rack hole 293b.

Consequently, the third back-and-forth sliding plate 293 slides back andforth as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, whereby the rotation engaging claw 81is rotated by a so-called relationship between a rack and a pinion, toobtain a state where the rotation engaging claw 81 falls and a statewhere the rotation engaging claw 81 rises. In a state where the rotationengaging claw 81 rises, a claw portion of the rotation engaging claw 81is engaged with an engaging hole 12 formed on the bottom surface of thenote PC 1, so that the note PC 1 is prevented from being removed. Thatis, in a state where the rotation engaging claw 81 falls as shown inFIGS. 28A and 28B, the note PC 1 is allowed to be removed. In a statewhere the rotation engaging claw 81 rises as shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B,the note PC is prevented from being removed.

(Second Rotating Plate)

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, one end of the second rotating plate 295 isconnected to a position at some distance away from a right end of thefirst rotating plate 294 toward the shaft 294a. Further, the other endof the second rotating plate 295 is connected to the card shutterdriving portion 27. The card shutter driving portion 27 is providedslidably back and forth. The second rotating plate 295 rotates uponreceipt of a driving force by a rotating operation of the first rotatingplate 294, to slide the card shutter driving portion 27 back and forth.

(Card Shutter Driving Portion)

A bending portion 27a is formed in the card shutter driving portion 27.The bending mounting portion 27a is formed on the right side of theguide surface of the guide portion 23a in the bottom supporting flatportion 23. That is, the bending mounting portion 27a is formed in theposition where the note PC 1 is not prevented from being carried on thebottom supporting flat portion 23. Further, the bending mounting portion27a is projected from a long hole 28a (see FIG. 4) formed in the resincover 28. The card shutter 25 (see FIG. 4) is removably mounted on thebending mounting portion 27a. When the card shutter driving portion 27slides forward (in the locked state), the card shutter 25 covers a partof the PCMCIA card loading aperture 11, as indicated by an imaginaryline in FIG. 30. On the other hand, when the card shutter drivingportion 27 slides backward (in the unlocked state), the card shutter 25retreats from the PCMCIA card loading aperture 11 to open the loadingaperture 11, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 30.

FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view showing the card shutter 25 mounted onthe above-mentioned bending mounting portion 27a. An engaging hole 27bis formed in the bending mounting portion 27a. An engaging projection25a of the card shutter 25 is fitted in the engaging hole 27b, so thatthe card shutter 25 is mounted on the bending mounting portion 27a. Onthe other hand, if a pin or the like is inserted into the engaging hole27b to release the engaged state, the card shutter 25 can be detachedfrom the bending mounting portion 27a.

Furthermore, a projection portion 25b is formed in a lower part of thecard shutter 25. A wide hole 288a corresponding to the projectionportion 25b is formed, as shown in FIG. 30, in the long hole 28a.Consequently, the card shutter 25 can be attached and detached withoutremoving the resin cover 28. The wide hole 288a is formed incorrespondence to the position of the card shutter 25 in the unlockedstate by the locking means 26, so that the card shutter 25 can beattached and detached only in the unlocked state.

The card shutter 25 for opening and closing the card loading aperture 11is thus removably mounted on the bending mounting portion 27a of thecard shutter driving portion 27. Even when the position of the cardloading aperture 11 differs depending on the type of the note PC 1,therefore, the difference can be coped with by replacing the cardshutter 25.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the amount of projection of oneprojected portion and the amount of projection of the other projectedportion of the card shutter 25 from the bending mounting portion 27a ofthe card shutter driving portion 27 are made different, so that it canbe chosen whether to take the one projected portion as a shutterfunctional portion or take the other projected portion as a shutterfunctional portion by a method of mounting the card shutter 25. That is,as shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B, the card shutter 25 is mounted upon beingrotated through 180°, so that the amount of projection toward the cardloading aperture 11 can be adjusted. When the position of the cardloading aperture 11 differs depending on the type of the note PC 1, thedifference can be coped with by one card shutter 25.

(Feature Expanding Unit)

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the feature expanding unit 3 in anenlarged manner. The box 31 comprises a peripheral wall member 311composed of resin and a bottom 33 composed of an iron plate constitutingits bottom surface. A power supply portion 34, a main substrate 35, aPCMCIA card loading aperture 36, and the like are arranged in the box31, which are fixed to the bottom 33 by screws.

Hook-shaped projections 33a formed in the bottom 33 are projected on theupper surface of the box 31. When the attachment device 2 is mounted onthe box 31, the hook-shaped projections 33a are engaged with theengaging hole 29e (which is not illustrated in FIG. 13) formed in thebottom 29.

Locking Relationship between Feature Expanding Unit and AttachmentDevice

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state where the engagement of anengagement operating portion 90 with the hook-shaped projection 33a isreleased, to unlock the attachment device 2. FIG. 15 is a perspectiveview showing a state where the engagement operating portion 90 isengaged with the hook-shaped projection 33a, to lock the attachmentdevice 2. The hook-shaped projection 33a with which the engagementoperating portion 90 is to be engaged is the hook-shaped projection 33aformed on the rearmost side out of the three hook-shaped projections 33apositioned on the right side of the box 31 in FIG. 13.

Specifically, the hook-shaped projection 33a with which the engagementoperating portion 90 is to be engaged passes through the engaging hole29e formed in the bottom 29, as shown in a plan view of FIG. 16, to leadto the vicinity of the engagement operating portion 90 driven by thefirst back-and-forth sliding plate 291. The engagement operating portion90 has one portion 90c and other portion 90e in an approximately "<"shape. The engagement operating portion 90 is rotatably supported by ashaft 90b in its approximately central part, and a long hole 90d formedin the one portion 90c is connected to a projection of the firstback-and-forth sliding plate 291.

In a position at the time of locking of the first back-and-forth slidingplate 291 as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 16, the other portion 90eof the engagement operating portion 90 is positioned at a rear end ofthe hook-shaped projection 33a, to prevent the attachment device 2 frombeing moved forward from the feature expanding unit 3, whereby theattachment device 2 can be prevented from being removed from theexpanding unit 3. On the other hand, in a position at the time ofunlocking of the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291 as indicated byan imaginary line in FIG. 16, the other portion 90e of the engagementoperating portion 90 retreats from the rear end of the hook-shapedprojection 33a, to allow the attachment device 2 to be removed. Groundconnection between the attachment device 2 and the feature expandingunit 3 can be made by the contact between the bottom 29 and thehook-shaped projection 33a. If the engagement operating portion 90 isformed of a conductive material, and the engagement operating portion 90and the hook-shaped projection 33a are brought into contact with eachother in the locked state, the ground connection can be more reliablymade.

(Shutter Driving Plate)

An innermost right edge (see FIG. 13) of the peripheral wall member 311is so formed as to be projected toward the inside of the box 31. Ashutter driving plate 37 is provided slidably back and forth on theupper surface of the projected portion. A shutter plate 38 serving as ashutter corresponding to the loading aperture 36a of the PCMCIA cardloading portion 36 is mounted on a side edge of the shutter drivingplate 37. The shutter plate 38 covers a part of the loading aperture 36ain the position where the shutter driving plate 37 retreats, whileopening the loading aperture 36a in the position where it advances. Theshutter driving plate 37 is urged in the direction of forward movementby a coil spring 83. In a state where a force against the coil spring 83is not exerted, the shutter driving plate 37 advances, to open theloading aperture 36a. One end of the coil spring 83 is engaged with aprojection 31a formed in an upper right edge of the box 31.

A bending rising portion 37a is formed in the shutter driving plate 37.When the attachment device 2 is carried on the feature expanding unit 3,the bending rising portion 37a is engaged with a long hole 291b formedin the above-mentioned first back-and-forth sliding plate 291, as shownin FIGS. 11 and 12. Consequently, a driving force is applied to theshutter driving plate 37 by the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291moved upon being operated by the locking means 26. When the firstback-and-forth sliding plate 291 slides backward (in the locked state),the shutter driving plate 37 is moved backward against the urging of thecoil spring 83, to cover a part of the loading aperture 36a by theshutter plate 38.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the feature expanding unit 3, whichillustrates a state where a stopper member 39 for regulating themovement of the shutter driving plate 37 is mounted. A portion on thisside of an upper part of the loading aperture 36a of the card loadingportion 36 is notched by a portion corresponding to the moving range ofthe shutter plate 38. The stopper member 39 comprises a portionpositioned on the upper surface of the shutter driving plate 37 and ashutter portion positioned in the notched portion for closing theloading aperture 36a. A projection 39a projected downward is formed inthe portion positioned on the upper surface of the shutter driving plate37a. The projection 39a is fitted in an engaging hole 31b, as shown in aplan view of FIG. 18A and a side view of FIG. 18B. The engaging hole 31bis formed on the upper surface of a projected portion of the peripheralwall member 311 in correspondence to the position where a guide hole 37bfor guiding the shutter driving plate 37 back and forth. When thestopper member 39 is set on the shutter driving plate 37 in the unlockedstate, therefore, the projection 39a is engaged with the engaging hole31b, as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, to prevent the shutter driving plate37 from sliding backward as well as to close a part of the loadingaperture 36a in place of the shutter plate 38.

FIG. 20 illustrates a state where a locking member 86a of a lockingdevice 86 is projected from the upper surface of a right side of theperipheral wall member 311 in the feature expanding unit 3. The lockingdevice 86 comprises the above-mentioned locking member 86a, a knobportion 86b, and a coil spring 86c, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. Theknob portion 86b is fastened to a side surface of the locking member86a, is exposed to a side surface of the peripheral wall member 311, andis provided slidably up and down by a guide groove 311b formed in theperipheral wall member 311. Further, the coil spring 86c has its one endengaged with a hole 311a formed in the peripheral wall member 311, andhas the other end engaged with the locking member 86a.

The coil spring 86c is so adapted that the spacing between the one endand the other end is smaller than spacing in a natural length state in acase where the locking member 86a is positioned in an intermediateposition of vertical sliding. Consequently, in a state where the lockingmember 86a is upward beyond the intermediate position of verticalsliding, as shown in FIG. 23A, the locking member 86a is urged upward,whereby the projected state of the locking member 86a is held. In astate where the locking member 86a is downward beyond the intermediateposition of vertical sliding, as shown in FIG. 23B, the locking member86a is urged downward, whereby a state where the locking member 86a isretracted is held. When the locking member 86a is projected in a statewhere the attachment device 2 is mounted on the feature expanding unit3, the locking member 86a is engaged with the engaging hole 29g formedin the bottom 29 (also see FIG. 16) in the attachment device 2, so thatthe forward movement of the attachment device 2 can be regulated.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing the bottom 33 and the mainsubstrate 35. The main substrate 35 is mounted on the bottom 33 byscrews 39. A projection 33b in which the screw 39 is screwed is directlyformed in the bottom 33. A portion where the projection 33b is formed ispressed in an approximately domed shape so that at least a tip end ofthe screwed screw 39 is not projected from the lower surface of thebottom 33, as also shown in FIG. 34. Further, a spacer 85 having alarger thickness than that of the projection 33b is so arranged as tosurround the periphery of the projection 33b so that the spacer 85 isinterposed between the pressed portion and the main substrate 35.

The depths of all pressed portions are not made equal. For example, apressed portion 33c and a pressed portion 33d in which the projections33b for fixing the main substrate 35 are respectively formed differ indepth, and the pressed portion 33d is shallower, as shown in FIG. 34.For example, a supporting plate 331 for supporting the peripheral wallmember 311 is so mounted as to be overlapped with the main substrate 35in the pressed portion 33d, whereby the pressed portion 33d is shallowerthan the pressed portion 33c by the thickness of the supporting plate331, so that the main substrate 35 can be arranged in parallel. That is,the pressed portions are made different in depth, so that thethicknesses of the spacers 85 can be made common. Consequently, thenumber of types of spacers 85 can be reduced.

On the other hand, a portion of the bottom 33 corresponding to theposition where the power supply portion 34 is arranged is raisedthroughout, for example. In a portion of the projection 33b formed inthe raised portion 33e, therefore, the portion of the bottom 33 isconversely pressed downward. The depth of the downward pressed portionis made smaller than the thickness of the spacer 85. Also in thisportion, the spacer 85 having the same thickness as described above canbe used.

As described in the foregoing, the attachment device 2 according to thepresent invention comprises the bottom supporting flat portion 23. Inthe bottom supporting flat portion 23, therefore, it is possible to formand arrange the guides 23a and 23b for introducing the note PC 1 intothe port replicator portion 22, the grounding member 296 for groundingthe note PC 1 and engaging the note PC 1, the engaging hole for engagingthe attachment device 2 with the feature expanding unit 3, the fingercatching portions 23c for making easy an operation performed when theattachment device 2 is removed from the feature expanding unit 3, andthe like. Even when only the attachment device 2 is obtained, a functionas a port replicator is obtained.

In the feature expanding unit 3 according to the present invention, thebottom supporting flat portion 23 in the attachment device 2 is mountedon the upper end surface of the box 31. Even if the feature expandingunit 3 is newly obtained after the attachment device is obtained,therefore, it is possible to gradually expand the function withoutmaking the attachment device 2 useless.

The separation type feature expanding device 4 according to the presentinvention can function as a port replicator and simultaneously as anexpanding unit because it comprises the attachment device 2 and thefeature expanding unit 3. If the separation type feature expandingdevice 4 is separated, it can be also used only as a port replicator inthe attachment device 2.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a state where the attachment device 2 is mountedon the feature expanding unit 3, and the ISA card case 7 is mounted, thefirst locking hole 311a formed in the rising portion 311b in thefunction expanding unit 3, the second locking hole 225b formed in thelocking portion 225 in the attachment device 2, and the third lockinghole 7b formed in the ISA card case 7 are so positioned as to correspondto each other, and the feature expanding unit 3, the attachment device2, and the ISA card case 7 are connected and locked by the connectingand locking means 5 by inserting the locking and engaging member 5a ofthe connecting and locking means 5 into the three holes to achievelocking (rotating the rotating portion 5b through 90°). The frameportion 255c surrounding the rising portion 311b and the rising portion7a is formed in the periphery of the back surface of the locking portion225. Even if an attempt to insert a driver or the like between therising portion 311b formed in the feature expanding unit 3 and a surfaceforming the second locking hole (the back surface) of the attachmentdevice 2 is made, it is possible to prevent the rising portions 311b and7a from being destroyed to be stolen by making the insertion of thedriver or the like difficult.

The engaging projection 33a is formed on the upper surface of thefeature expanding unit 3, and an engaging hole 29e into which theengaging projection 33a is inserted is formed, as shown in FIG. 16, inthe bottom 29 of the bottom supporting flat portion 23 in the attachmentdevice 2. The bottom supporting flat portion 23 is provided with thefirst back-and-forth sliding plate 291 moved upon being operated by thelocking means 26. The first back-and-forth sliding plate 291 is engagedwith the engaging projection 33a through the engagement operatingportion 90 by an operation performed at the time of locking by thelocking means 26, to prevent the attachment device 2 from being movedforward on the feature expanding unit 3. In the locked state by thelocking means 26, the attachment device 2 cannot be removed from thefeature expanding unit 3, so that it can be prevented from being stolen.

Furthermore, the bottom supporting flat portion 23 in the attachmentdevice 2 is provided with the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291moved upon being operated by the locking means 26, the feature expandingunit 3 is provided with a shutter device comprising the shutter drivingplate 37 moved by the first back-and-forth sliding plate 291 and theshutter plate 38 mounted thereon. The shutter plate 38 is driven by anoperation performed at the time of locking by the locking means 26 sothat the card loading aperture 36a of the card loading portion 36 isclosed. In the locked state by the locking means 26, therefore, thePCMCIA card cannot be taken out from the feature expanding unit 3, sothat the card can be prevented from being stolen.

Furthermore, the stopper member 39 for regulating the movement of theshutter plate 38 and closing the card loading aperture 36a in place ofthe shutter plate 38 is mounted on the shutter device. When theseparation type feature expanding device 4 is shared among a pluralityof users, one of the users may remove the note PC 1 from the attachmentdevice 2, to remove the key 26a upon performing locking by the lockingmeans 26, although the other user attempts to subsequently use the notePC 1 (the key 26a can be pulled out only in the locking position of thelocking means 26). When the locking is achieved, the rotation engagingclaw 81 is raised on the bottom supporting flat portion 23, whereby thenote PC 1 cannot be mounted on the attachment device 2. At the time ofsharing the separation type feature expanding device 4, if the stoppermember 39 is mounted on the shutter device, the locking by the lockingmeans 26 can be prevented. Even in the unlocked state by the lockingmeans 26, the PCMCIA card cannot be taken out from the feature expandingunit 3, so that the card can be prevented from being stolen. In thiscase, the attachment device 2 and the feature expanding unit 3 can beprevented from being stolen by the above-mentioned connecting andlocking means 5.

Furthermore, the feature expanding unit 3 is provided with the lockingmember 86a projected by a manual operation so that the respective statescan be held and retracted by the weight of the attachment device 2. Theengaging hole 29g into which the locking member 86a is inserted isformed on the bottom surface (the bottom 29) of the bottom supportingflat portion 23 in the attachment device 2. When the stopper member 39is used, the locking by the locking means 26 is not performed, wherebythe attachment device 2 may be uselessly removed from the featureexpanding unit 3. If the locking member 86a is projected, therefore, theattachment device 2 can be prevented from being removed from the featureexpanding unit 3 even if the locking by the locking means is notperformed. Further, when an attempt to mount the attachment device 2 onthe feature expanding unit 3 is made in a state where the locking member86a is erroneously projected, the locking member 86a is retracted by theweight of the attachment device 2, whereby a mounting operation isperformed without inconvenience.

Furthermore, the insertion hole 28b is formed in the resin cover 28 in aportion covering the locking means 26 in the attachment device 2, theISA card case 7 is provided with the engaging projection 7d which can beinserted into the insertion hole 28b, and the locking means 26 isprovided with the engaging member 26e engaged with the engagingprojection 7d by an operation at the time of locking. The ISA card case7 cannot be removed in the locked state by the locking means 26, wherebythe card can be prevented from being stolen.

Furthermore, the note PC 1 can be engaged upon projecting the clawportion of the rotation engaging claw 81 from the bottom supporting flatportion 23 by an operation performed at the time of locking by thelocking means 26. The rotation engaging claw 81 is rotated in aso-called relationship between a rack (the rack hole 293b of the movingplate) and a pinion (the gear portion 81a). Therefore, the distancebetween a center of rotation of the rotation engaging claw 81 and apoint of application for applying torque to the rotation engaging claw81 can be decreased, whereby the thickness of the bottom supporting flatportion 23 in the attachment device 2 can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, an operation for ejecting the note PC1 can be performed subsequently to an operation for changing the lockedstate by the locking means 26 into the unlocked state. Therefore, theseparation type feature expanding device can be made convenient for use.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A separation type feature expanding device ofportable electronic equipment comprising:an attachment device for theportable electronic equipment, said attachment device includes a bottomsupporting flat portion on which the portable electronic equipment ismounted, and a port replicator portion provided in a rear end of thebottom supporting flat portion, said port replicator portion having a) aterminal portion to which a terminal portion provided on a back surfaceof said portable electronic equipment is removable connected, and b)locking means for fixing the portable electronic equipment to saidattachment device; and a feature expanding unit for the portableelectronic equipment, said feature expanding unit includes one or morefeature expanding means for the portable electronic equipment, an upperend surface on which the bottom supporting flat portion of saidattachment device of the portable electronic equipment is mounted and aterminal portion to which the terminal portion of the port replicatorportion is removably connected, wherein an engaging projection is formedon an upper surface of said feature expanding unit, an engaging holeinto which said engaging projection is inserted is formed on a bottomsurface of the bottom supporting flat portion of the attachment device,the bottom supporting flat portion is provided with a moving plate movedupon being operated by said locking means, and said moving plate isengaged with said engaging projection by an operation performed at thetime of locking by the locking means to prevent movement between saidattachment device and said feature expanding unit.
 2. A separation typefeature expanding device according to claim 1, further comprising alocking hole provided at a rear end of said feature expanding unit and aconnecting and locking means having a locking and engaging portioninserted into said locking hole for locking thereof.
 3. A separationtype feature expanding device according to claim 2, further comprising aconnecting rope having one end connected to said connecting and lockingmeans and having another end connected to a non-portable member.
 4. Aseparator type feature expanding device according to claim 1, whereinthe terminal portion of said feature expanding unit is provided on afront of a vertical rising portion which is provided at a rear end ofthe feature expanding unit.
 5. A separation type feature expandingdevice of portable electronic equipment, comprising:an attachment devicefor the portable electronic equipment, said attachment device includes abottom supporting flat portion on which the portable electronicequipment is mounted, and a port replicator portion provided in a rearend of the bottom supporting flat portion, said port replicator portionhaving a terminal portion to which a terminal portion, provided on aback surface of said portable electronic equipment, is removablyconnected; and a feature expanding unit for the portable electronicequipment, said feature expanding unit includes one or more featureexpanding means for the portable electronic equipment, an upper surfaceon which the bottom supporting flat portion of the attachment device ismounted, a terminal portion to which the terminal portion of the portreplicator portion is removably connected and a locking hole provided ata rear end of said feature expanding unit, wherein a locking andengaging portion of a connecting and locking means is inserted in saidlocking hole, said connecting and locking means for connecting andlocking together said attachment device and said feature expanding unit.6. A separation type feature expanding device according to claim 5,further comprising a connecting rope having one end connected to saidconnecting and locking means and having another end connected to anon-portable member.
 7. A separator type feature expanding deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the terminal portion of said featureexpanding unit is provided on a front of a vertical rising portion whichis provided at a rear end of the feature expanding unit.